Gathering

Man, was I ever happy to see Shauna! I never even thought about her getting there early and from the front I couldn't see her truck parked out back until we got closer to the cabin. I wish I had thought to check for another way in. After my 12 mile (ok, 1/2 mile but it felt like 12) hike I was ready for food and a cold beverage. She took about half the stuff I was carrying and we made our way inside, making plans to return the store the next day to sample some of their home grown veggies and to check out the TV! I wondered aloud where Kim and Doris might be . Shauna said, "You think we should call them to let them know about the back way in? Since it really is getting dark and that is quite a hike..' Just then we heard a, "HOOTY HOOT," which I knew was Kim talking to an owl. She does it all the time. She even talks differently to the different types of owls. She talks to other animals, too. I think that's why she and Shauna seem to be kindred spirits. They both believe animals have a lot more going on in their brains than the world at large gives them credit for having. To be honest, Doris and I feel the same way.
It's always such a fun time when we head out on these *camping* trips. I insist camping in a cabin is the same thing as camping in a tent, only a lot nicer. Running water and electricity are my friends! Two of the other three might disagree but it takes 4 to play euchre so they accept the cabin as part of the package. I have often thought about taking a tent with me just in case they'd like to sleep out side. In the dark. All by their lonesomes. With me locked safe inside the cabin!! But by the time I get all the stuff gathered up that I think I must have, there isn't room for a tent!
The nature hikes are a blast as we hustle along trying to keep pace with Doris while Kim talks to the various and assorted birds and wildlife and us at the same time. She is just gifted like that. Very few people can carry on a 3 way conversation without losing their place.
Well, when we heard Kim's call, we just dumped my stuff and headed back out to help her, who it turns out had gathered up Doris on her way. Doris was pretty tired, having spent the day working with Ruthie, her most recent trainee, who we all know is going to be a terrific Trotter and win lots of races! Right now though, Ruthie prefers to put most of her energy into outwitting Doris. Ruthie is so bright and learns so quickly that she gets bored and tries to turn the tables by becoming the Trainer instead of the Trainee! Maybe Doris will entertain us with a few of her, "You won't believe what Ruthie did NOW, " stories. That's why I have chickens. They come fully trained. Just ask Shauna. Her Banties were crate trained in 2 days!!

Back way in

I got my chores all done and everything packed and ready to go early. Thought I would go ahead and head to the cabin. I am so looking forward to hanging with the girls and having some fun. When I arrived I found with all the rain we had I was going to have to hike in. Well not this girl not with all the things I brought along so I backed up turned around and headed back to the little country store I passed on my way in to see if there was a back way in to the cabin. A small mom and pop place not much going on but they seem to carry just about anything you might want or need with in reason. I went to the back where the coolers are and grabbed me a tea and headed to the front where I find an old sun beaten man watching a black and white t.v. Oh boy just in time for Wheel of FORUTNE!!!! I better make this quick don't want to interrupt his tv show. He was a very nice man had kind eyes and warm smile. He said lucky for me there was a back way to the cabin down the dirt road I passed on my way to the store. I thanked him and headed back to the cabin. The road was in surprisingly good shape but didn't appear to be traveled much I think I counted 3 houses on the whole road.Once I got to the cabin I thought I would put some clean sheets on the beds and put the groceries I had bought away and just kind of set things up. I had just finished with the last bed sheets and headed to the kitchen for a drink when I thought I spied some one walking towards the cabin. They didn't look familiar at first, kind of dragging along with what looked like all their belongings attached to them, then I realized it was Judy! She had hiked 1/2 mile to the cabin with her arms and hands loaded. I went out the door and met her and relieved her of some of her load. She was telling me how glad she was it was me that had the lights on in the cabin and not some murderer, rapist just waiting for her she has an vivid imagination don't ya know especially about the dark lol. It wasn't until we got in the cabin it dawned on her and she asked me... How did you get your truck here!

Time to Go

I got held up this evening on the way to the Camp. A man called just as I was leaving and wanted to come see the Turkeys I had for sale. He was close by and I figured it wouldn't get dark for a couple hours... As usually happens when I am in a hurry, the man wanted to chat. And chat. He did buy a pair of the Black Spanish Birds, though, so I guess it was worth my lost time. At least that's what I told myself until I didn't get to the site until almost dark. It wouldn't have been as bad if I could have just parked the truck right next to the cabin where a hop, skip and jump would have put me IN the cabin. But, noooo, after all the rain we've had this Spring, I had to hike in. OK, so it's only 1/2 a mile. You might say that isn't very far. It is when you're carrying extra clothes and books and games in a back pack, a flashlight and mobile phone in one hand and a couple bags full of things we might need, probably won't but one can't be too careful, in the other hand and using both eyes to see in front, to the side and behind all at one time. Seemed like 20 miles to me. I don't really mind the trees cause they do a good job of blocking the sun during our daytime hikes. It's at night when ANYONE could be standing behind one that it gets creepy for me. But, I marched on. Bravely humming hymns. And I made it to the cabin in record time. Only to see lights on where there should not have been lights on. Ah, the dilemma. Do I turn around and race, ok, walk really fast, back to the truck. In the gloomy darkness. WIth who knows who out there? Or do I assume someone left the lights on last time we were here and head on in to set things up before the rest arrive? Or do i just hunker down right here under this huge old pine tree and wait for reinforcements, who will laugh themselves silly over my sissiness?